WALSALL midfielder Michael Standing today insisted the memory of last season's FA Cup humiliation at Slough is the perfect spur to avoiding a repeat performance against Merthyr Tydfil.

The Saddlers head into the Valleys on Friday on an inconsistent run of form and crippled by injuries, which suggests the threat of another upset.

But Standing, himself struggling with a hamstring problem, is confident Walsall will match Merthyr's aggression and come out on top.

"We've got experience of how difficult this kind of tie can be," he said. "So we'll be going there fully focused on making sure what happened last year doesn't happen again.

"The Slough defeat was one of the worst days of my career - it was an absolute embarrassment. Whatever happens, we won't be underestimating them.

"We'll have to match their work- rate and enthusiasm and if we do that then our quality will see us through.

"It's a massive game for them and they'll be right up for it but then again, so are we." Standing's possible absence continues to add to Walsall's woes, with Craig Pead set for a three-game suspension after his controversial sending off at Barnsley on Saturday.

Having viewed video evidence, Walsall have abandoned plans of an appeal because they don't believe they can win.

Another player Paul Merson will miss is midfielder Paul Smith, who has gone back to Gillingham on loan.

Smith, whose return to the Gills initially until December 31 is driven by personal reasons, is also hoping the stay becomes permanent.

"As a club it was fantastic at Walsall," said Smith. "But I was driving up every day from Essex and it was taking its toll. Hopefully we will make the move permanent."